Program OverviewCertificate Sponsors - The Educational Studies Department Structure of the Program Application and Admissions Policies and Procedures Course Descriptions

​Program Overview

Our schools are becoming more diverse and not all students are achieving to their fullest potential. Many educators feel the need for additional professional development in diversity education.

Responding to this need, the Educational Studies Department of the State University of New York at New Paltz offers a post-masters Certificate Program in Multicultural Education. This 15-credit program is designed for elementary, secondary and special subject teachers, as well as school guidance counselors and administrators who are interested in enhancing their cultural competencies in multicultural education.

Designed for teachers who already have their masters degree, this certificate program enables educators to understand the ways in which race, gender, class, language, sexual orientation, religion, and physical/learning disabilities influence them as professionals, their students, and the educational process. In addition, it provides educators with the knowledge and skills needed to culturally-responsive teaching and leadership, and approaches for creating socially-just educational settings.

​Certificate Sponsors - The Educational Studies Department

The Educational Studies Department, which is comprised of the Humanistic/Multicultural Education Program, the Special Education Program and the Educational Foundations Unit, is uniquely qualified to offer this Certificate in Multicultural Education. All three units have a long history of offering a range of relevant multicultural courses, both theoretical and practical, from which students can choose in developing their plan of study for this 15-credit program. In additon, their certificate program draws on the resources of the Second Language Education Program in the Secondary Education Department.

​Structure of the Program

Students complete 15 graduate credits of course work, in a non-matriculated status, which include a 3-credit introductory course, 9 credits of electives, and a 3-credit capstone course, and must achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. At the completion of the Program, a Certificate in Multicultural Education will be granted by the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Electives in Multicultural Education (9 credits)Students choose 3 courses from among the following:

TheoreticalIssues in Multicultural Education (EDS537)Issues of Literacy for Diverse Learners (EDS549)Teaching Students from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds (SPE572)Leadership in Education and Human Services (EDS753)

PracticalCooperatively Structured Learning (EDS545)Multicultural Approaches to Helping (EDS548)Exploration of Gender in Education (EDS582)Expressive Arts, Leadership and Change (EDS550)Teaching in the Inclusive Classroom (SPE565)Teaching English as a Second Language (SED573)

Note: Graduate courses taken prior to admission to the Certificate Program or not listed above cannot be applied to students' plans of study for this program. All graduate courses will be taken at SUNY New Paltz.

​Application and Admissions Policies and Procedures

The entrance requirements for the Certificate in Multicultural Education are:

1. Evidence of interest in multicultural/social justice education

2. A Masters degree in Education from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 grade point average.

Applicants will submit:

1. An official graduate transcript

2. Two letters of recommendation from school district officials, administrators, or colleagues

The completed application packet including application form, references, official transcript, and the essay must be submitted to the Graduate Office. Application deadlines are November 1 for spring admission and April 1 for fall admission.

Upon receipt of a completed application, the applicant will be contacted to schedule an interview with Dr. Nancy Schniedewind or Dr. Terry Murray to complete the application process.

​Course Descriptions

EDS581 Issues of Racism and Sexism in EducationThis course examines personal and institutional racism and sexism, and their intersections with discrimination based in class, sexual orientation, religion, ability, gender identity, language, age, and nationality. It provides strategies for creating multicultural, gender-fair, and equitable curricula, classrooms, schools and organizations.

EDS537 Issues in Multicultural EducationThis course examines the way that racial and cultural differences shape the purposes and practices of education. It examines the social foundations of multicultural education, with particular attention to inequalities among racial and cultural groups.

EDS549 Issues of Literacy for Diverse LearnersExplores issues in the sociocultural, moral, political, historical, and developmental dimensions of literacy. Students consider how classroom practices for secondary students relate to theories of learning, to first- and second-language acquisition, and to literacy development. This course presents a broad view of literacy as a form of communication.

SPE572 Teaching Students from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse BackgroundsThis course examines the academic and social challenges education poses faced by students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Methods for implementing culturally relevant instruction and programs for all students will be discussed.

EDS545 Cooperatively Structured LearningThis course focuses on methods to make teaching and learning cooperative in heterogeneous groups and diverse educational settings. It examines the implications of cooperation and competition for schools, organizations and society.

EDS548 Multicultural Approaches to HelpingFocuses on the development of a multicultural model for facilitating helping relationships and recognizes helping as a structured helping process and an essential human quality. Explores traditional practices and contemplative approaches to helping.

EDS582 Exploration of Gender in EducationThis course examines experiences of gender in educational institutions from early childhood through graduate school. Students analyze curriculum materials, classroom interaction patterns, organizational/social factors, and methods for creating gender-fair multicultural classrooms and other educational settings.

EDS550 Expressive Arts, Leadership and ChangeThe expressive arts can be utilized in envisioning and leading change initiatives that address social justice issues in schools and community organizations. This reflective and experiential course will explore practical, arts-based teaching and learning strategies.

SPE565 Teaching in the Inclusive ClassroomExamines a variety of issues and strategies related to educating learners with disabilities in general education classrooms. It also is designed to provide students with an understanding of the nature and needs of exceptional children and youth from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

SED573 Teaching English as a Second LanguageProcedures and material for teaching English to native speakers of other languages.

EDS793 Applied Practice in Multicultural/Social Justice EducationThis course provides an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills for teaching diverse students to one's educational setting. Emphasis will be on developing a curriculum or program to foster increased educational equity or social justice.